Latin name: Cymbopogon Nardus.Plant part used: dried herbSource: Indonesia.Extraction method: steam distillation.This lemongrass essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stems of the Cymbopogon plant species, especially Cymbopogon nardus. Lemongrass oil is reputed to be a herbal insect repellent, a bio-pesticide with a non-toxic mode of action, and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The main producing countries of this oil are Indonesia and China, which together produce about 40% of lemongrass essential oil in the world. Besides being useful as a skin repellent, this oil is good for excessive sweating, oily skin and hair, and works as a deodorant. It is said to soothe pain due to rheumatism and arthritis, and resist flu, colds and minor infections. The oil is good for the digestive system to cure colitis, intestinal infections, and get rid of intestinal parasites. It relieves menstrual cramps and pains and speeds up the heart rate. Used in a vaporizer, it is known to dispel fatigue, headaches and neuralgia, and create an atmosphere of cheerfulness and optimism. Avoid using it during pregnancy and in children under 3 years old. Ancient cultures in India, Egypt and elsewhere where Cymbopogon species of grasses grew used them to repel insects, especially mosquitoes. At that time, people settled near rivers and bodies of water. While this was a good thing in many ways, it also meant an abundance of insects, mosquitoes, which brought disease and killed people. So using this herb as a repellent was a matter of life and death at that time.